2017GUILFORD COUNTY

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

PRESENTED BY:

READY TO DO THIS...

SO THIS CAN HAPPEN...

HALF OF FUTURE JOBS

REQUIRE ADVANCED

SKILLS TRAINING

EASTERN TRIAD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Retooling for a bright new future in 21st centuryadvanced manufacturing.

States that win, keep, and grow transformational advanced manufacturing

employers offer extraordinary workforce development programming.

To get the NC economy up to full potential, the Triad’s advanced manufacturing

economy needs a unique, enhanced investment in workforce development

programming:

• We are manufacturing new kinds of jobs

• Potential megasite clients will require robust programming

• Solutions can be replicated across the state

Pilot Program plans include:

• Create a reliable pipeline of young, skilled workers

• Retrain or upskill adult workers

• Enhance and exponentially expand successful existing programming

• Develop solutions for other essential industries facing serious workforce

challenges, especially those characterized by mostly small, local businesses

• Begin significant expansion of Grades 9-14 programming

• Support for tuition, books and fees, youth insurance, veterans,

class-time, etc.

• Pilot benefits Guilford, Alamance, Randolph, and Rockingham counties

• $6 million initial investment over first two years, with four

to six follow-on years

MEGASITE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Greensboro-Randolph advanced manufacturing megasite is assembled

and certified. The taxiway bridge that provides access to the Piedmont Triad

International Airport megasite is nearing completion. Both sites are being

actively marketed to prospects. We ask that the State activate and fund its Site

Infrastructure Development Fund at the Department of Commerce to show

the world that North Carolina is ready to win the extremely competitive races

for transformational projects that seek megasite locations. This fund has been

used successfully in the past to clear and grade sites and acquire land for large

projects, but it is not currently funded. In addition, please consider adding a “rapid

response” protocol for funding specific project proposals. These actions can help

eliminate “site readiness” risk as a negative for North Carolina.

HIGH POINT MARKET

The High Point Market has $5.38 billion of economic impact in the state of North

Carolina. The State’s participation in our public/private partnership to support

the Market has been critical to maintaining its position of global importance, and

so we thank you for funding the High Point Furniture Market Authority over

the years. We ask that the 2016-17 amounts of $1,200,000 for transportation

through NCDOT and $1,755,472 for marketing through NCDOC be included in

the 2017-19 budget as recurring funds.

EFFECTIVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Please proceed with the two studies and comprehensive review of the State’s

Nutrient Management Regulatory Framework as approved in Session Law 2016-

94. Current approaches are yielding unsatisfactory results that do not adequately

justify the costs. And in the Triad, we need to be able to build the multi-acre

buildings that 21st century manufacturing requires.

$5.38 BILLION OF

ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

2017 AGENDA: Strategic Investments to Secure North Carolina’s Global Prominence in Manufacturing

AVIATION

The Piedmont Triad International Airport employs 5,000 people directly and 15,000 - 20,000 people indirectly. The payroll taxes alone on jobs at PTIA exceed the entire investment the state makes in its airports, making PTIA an excellent place to invest state dollars for extraordinary ROI. We appreciate the General Assembly’s commitment to local and regional airports and seek continuation of planned funding at PTIA.

TRANSPORTATION

The Greensboro and High Point business community ask for continuation of planned funding for the Greensboro Urban Loop to ensure its completion as scheduled in 2020.

We support the 2013 Strategic Transportation Investments law (recognizing that continued fine tuning is to be expected), which uses NCDOT funding to more efficiently and effectively enhance the state’s infrastructure, while supporting economic growth, job creation, and a higher quality of life.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Enhance the competitiveness of the State’s economic development programs by eliminating the cap and sunset on the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to make JDIG a completely viable tool for both rural and urban areas of the State.

EDUCATION

Because it is critical to job growth and attracting new companies to our state, we support funding for North Carolina’s strong educational system at every level: pre-K-12, community colleges, and universities.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR JOBS

We appreciate and support the State’s investments in North Carolina’s roads, rail, airports, seaports, and intermodal facilities, which serve job growth in our state.

LEGISLATION TO EXPAND HEALTH COVERAGE SOLUTIONS

We support legislation to expand health coverage to North Carolinians, whether through Medicaid expansion or other options that are available to, and appropriate for, the State. Expanded coverage improves health, stabilizes the insurance market, lowers costs to businesses, and has a positive impact on jobs.

THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT:

The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization

in the community serving more than 1,000 member businesses through

programming designed to help them succeed and grow. A partner in the

Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, the Chamber also serves

as Greensboro’s primary economic development organization, with special

emphasis placed on community and entrepreneurial advancement through

Action Greensboro and Launch Greensboro.

www.greensboro.org

Business High Point is the voice for the private sector, working to unite

an engaged and informed business perspective to transform High Point.

www.highpointchamber.org